 Applications are now invited for a new grant to support city and town centre ‘High Street’ businesses in the daytime and night-time economy.
The £400,000 Vibrant High Streets grants programme 2026/27 is aimed at supporting small and independent retailers and businesses in the city centre, Bilston, Wednesfield and other high streets. It is designed to help improve the visual appearance, safety and customer service experience at their premises to boost local spend and economic benefit.
Businesses can apply for a maximum of £5,000 across up to 2 of the following three categories: Frontage improvements, interior and external refurbishments, and digital, marketing and security. Businesses must also evidence and provide match funding of at least 20% of the total cost of their project. For more details and to apply please click here
The NCSC has issued an alert advising businesses to take action following the conflict in the Middle East. Clearly, organisations operating in or with Middle Eastern countries are at risk, but the conflict also poses additional threats to businesses of all sizes, regardless of whether they have links to the Middle East.
In the alert, NCSC recommends that businesses prepare to respond to the risk of collateral impacts in the UK from Iran-linked hacktivists by reading previously issued advisories on topics like DDoS attacks and phishing. You and your staff may not know what they are, but they are applicable to SMEs.
Now is the ideal time to book fully funded Security Awareness Training for your staff – you can access free support from the Cyber Resilience Centre for the West Midlands here and from the National Cyber Security Centre here
 This engaging and practical course consists of 12 weekly, 2-hour online sessions, offering a comprehensive approach to leadership and management. Each week, you’ll dive into a new topic, gaining tools and insights to enhance your effectiveness as a leader, mentor, and manager. Whether you’re new to management or looking to refine your existing skills, this course will equip you with the strategies to succeed.
This course is ideal for aspiring / new managers looking for foundational skills to lead teams effectively, and improve their leadership, management, and coaching skills to boost career progression. It is also relevant to experienced managers aiming to refresh and expand their leadership toolkit.
For more details click here
 The Leadership and Change Management Programme is a hybrid short course designed to support employees and leaders within small and medium manufacturing enterprises, as they navigate change, digital transformation, and supply chain transition. The first of the 5-week, online and in person programme starts on 10th March.
The programme forms part of the Supply Chain Transition Programme supporting businesses to strengthen resilience, productivity, and competitiveness
For further information click here
 British Business Bank are an economic development bank wholly owned by the Department for Business and Trade but with operational independence. They help smaller businesses across the UK access the finance they need to grow by working with partners, offering guidance, and supporting a stronger, more inclusive finance market.
As well as providing support for finding the right finance they also provide useful information on how to value a business. How to carry out due diligence on investors, how to deliver a pitch, how to grow your business, how to reduce and manage risk, and how to build business resilience.
For more information click here
 Venturefest West Midlands comes to Wolverhampton on Tuesday 10th March at Molineux Stadium with 20 great speakers and a further 30 exhibitors showcasing the support available to investors, entrepreneurs and innovators.
Venturefest provides the chance to meet, engage and exchange ideas for co-operation and collaboration, particularly in the fields of science and emerging technologies. Being supported locally by business, universities, science parks and business support organisations, Venturefest is a leading conference supporting the region’s innovative entrepreneurs and businesses to flourish.
For more information please click here
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